Wine Details

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT

This is a rich and intense wine, apparent immediately by its ruby red color. Soft tannins, well-balanced acidity and consistency are complimented by enchanting hints of wild berries and dried plums, accompanied by notes of coffee, eucalyptus and vanilla. This is a well-structured Merlot, expressing typical qualities of the variety, but also the unique character given by a partial “appassimento” for a portion of the grapes, typical of the region and style of the winery.

Region:

Producer:

Tenuta Santa Maria

Classification:

Merlot Verona IGT

Variety:

100% Merlot (selected from three clones)

Number of bottles produced:

20,000 bottles

Production area:

Illasi Valley (16km east of Verona)

Altitude:

50 meters (164 feet) a.s.l.

Age of vines:

27 years

Yield:

8,000 kg/ha

Training:

Cordon-trained

Vinification:

Partial "appasimento" (drying) of the grapes picked in September and remaining grapes harvested overripe in October; separate cold macerations and temperature-controlled fermentation

Refining:

Blended then refined in oak barriques for approx. 14 months and a few months in bottle

Alcohol content:

14.5%

pH level:

3.5

Acidity:

5.17 g/L

Soil:

Primarily clay with deeper calcareous layers

Time of harvest:

Late September for some grapes, remainder in first half of October (overripe)

Harvest:

Manual

Recent press reviews

92

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2019

Falstaff Magazine (92)- "Intense dark ruby red with purple reflections. Intense aromas of ripe cherries and plums on the nose with dark chocolate, liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with very grippy tannins that still appear somewhat youthful."

90

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2017

James Suckling (90)- "A decent merlot from part fresh and part dried grapes, showing notes of ripe red fruit, herbs and oak from the aging in barriques. The tannins are well-integrated and the overall impression is of a wine that’s been curated well."

95

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2011

Italian Wine Guy (95)- "Very mature on the nose it tells notes of red plums, pine needles and toasted hazelnuts. Medium body, slightly dry tannins and a finish that lacks juiciness. Drink now."